Stemming machine



Aug. 3o, 1927. 1,641,120

G. R. CORNWALL STEMMING MACHINE HHHIl Hum A TTUHNEYS 1,641,120 A118- 30 1927' G. R. coRNwALL STEMMING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 AoR/vfrs Aug. 30, 1927.

G. R. coRNwALL STEMMING MACHINE Filed Deo. 16, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet `4 LL//l L Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE R. CORNWALL, OF RYE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T GOUGI-I STEMMING MACHINE CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

STEMMING- MACHINE.

Application led December 16, 1918.

This invention relates to stemming machines, and with respect to its more specific features to machines for stemming tobacco leaves.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a machine of simple construction which will automatically feed tobacco leaves and strip practically the full length of the blades of the leaves from the stem.

Another object of the invention is to provide a practical machine of the character referred to in which the feeding and stemming operations are carried on continuously.

Another object of the invention is the l5 provision of a machine of the character referred to which will operate efficiently upon leaves of different thickness, and in which the leaf is kept in engagement with the stripping mechanism without injuring the leaf. i

Other objects will be in part obvious in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter .set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

lo In the accompanying drawings forming partof this specification. wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine i5 embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof;

Fig. il is a plan view of Fig. 1;

F ig. 4 is a vertical section on the line a-a of Fig. 1 looking to the left;

:0 Fig, 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of the belts of the machine in front elevation;

Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of certain presser brushes employed in the present em- :5 bodiment: y

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation partly in section of certain drawing rollers employed;

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional detail through a portion of thc stripping mecha- Fig. l0 is a plan view of a detail of the stripping mechanism for clearer illustration;

Figs. l1 and 12 are side elevation and plan and Serial No. 266,861.

views of a certain belt supporting bracket.

As conducing to the more ready understanding of the construction and operation of the machine, it may be preliminarily noted that the numeral 1 indicates a horizontal. table. at which an attendant stands and takes tobacco leaves from an inclined table 2 and lays them upon the belts clearly shown in Fig. 3 as passing over the table 1, the butt ends of the leaves being aligned against the gauge board 3. As the machine operates, the leaves are fed to the right by the belts and pass between an upper linked brush belt 4. and a lower toothed or cardcloth belt 5 (Figs. 1 and 5) the butts of the stems projecting to the rear from between these belts so as to enter between a pair of drawing rollers 6 and 7 and be gripped by such rollers. These rollers rotate in a direction to draw the stems rearwardly, the blades of the leaves being caught by the teeth of the belts 4 and 5 so as to be stripped from the stems. The withdrawn stems may drop into a suitable receptacle. The stripped blades are carried further to the right by a device provided for the purpose and are eventually discharged from the machine.

Tn the present embodiment the frame of the machine is of metallic skeleton construction and comprises a base 8 upon which are erected a front frame piece 9 and a rear frame piece 10, the rear piece extending higher than the` front frame piece, as indicated at 11,. From the right and left hand ends of the frame pieces 9 and 10 extend frame arms 12 and 13 in a generally horizontal plane. the arms at the left supporting the table 1. The inclined portion or table 2 may be vertically adjusted in a standard 14. It will be understood that the different frame parts are bolted together to form a strong rigid structure. In bearings 15 and 16 on the rear frame piece is supported a main driving shaft 17 provided with fast and loose pulleys indicated'at 18, to which a driving belt may be applied. The numeral 19 indicates a belt shifter operable from the front of the machine by a handle 20 forming an arm of a rock shaft 21 to which the beltshifter is attached. On the main driving shaft 17 is a worm 22 which meshes with a worm wheel 23 on a counter-shaft 24]'0111'- naled in the frame pieces 9 and 10. The

shaft 17 also carries a bevel gear 25 mesh-v ing with a bevel gear 26 on a short vertical shaft journaled in suitable bearings 27 on the rear frame piece, the upper end of the vertical shaft having a bevel gear 28 meshing with a bevel gear 29 on a. shaft 30 ]o ur naled in bracket 3l bolted to the frame piece 10 (Fig. 8). Fast to the bevel gear 29 1s a larger bevel gear 32 in mesh with a bevel gear 33 of equal size on a shaft 34 )ournaled in a bracket bearing 35, the bearings 31 and 35 being integral with a web 36 bolted to the frame piece 10. The bevel gears 32 and 33 operate to rotate the drawing rollers 6 and 7.

Connected to the counter-shaft 24 is a bevel gear 37 in mesh with a bevel gear 38 on a longitudinal shaft 39, having a bevel ear 40 meshing with a bevel gear 4l on the ower end of a vertical shaft 42 supported 1n suitable bearings on the frame of the machine, and provided with brushes 43 and 44, one of which brushes serves to clean the stri ping teeth of the belt 5, and the otherto perform a similar operation on the belt 4. As will be perceived, brushes 43 and 44 are geared to rotate at relatively high speed for the purpose mentioned.

The strippin belt 5 is endless and may be of considera le width, and has a field of stripping pins or teeth, as at 45, outwardly proJecting from its outer face adjacent o ne edge, these pins from their base portions 1nclining slightly in a direction rearwardly of the machine, the field extending longitudinally of the belt 5. The belt may be readily provided with these pins by riveting thereto a narrow strip of card-cloth, having the metallic pins anchored therein. As illustrated in Figs. 4, 9 and 10, it will be seen that the pins are applied at the rear side of the belt directly orposite the vertical plane of the brushes o the belt 4.

rlhe stripping teeth 45 cooperate with those of the belt 4 for a portion of the endless paths of the respective belts 4 and 5. corresponding to the stripping position of the teeth and for such portion of the paths the card-cloth is backed or firmly supported by a bar 46 on a bracket Enpjectingr from the frame between the plies of the belt 5 andmoves in the direction of feed of the leaves.

In order to increase the efficiency of the stripping operation, the pins of the stripping belt may be arranged in two longitudinal fields 47 and 48, this result being effected by dispensing with one longitudinal line of ins, or teeth, as illustrated (Fig. 9), and a caf disengaging member or stripper bar, which may be a wire 49 or like element, disposed transversely of the length of the pins, lies longitudinally between the fields or in the aggregate field below the surface composed of the outer ends of the teeth thereof, and extends both at the left and at the right outside the path of the teeth 45. The wire may be anchored to the frame at its ends, the right hand end being connected to a bracket 50 which may be adjusted to tension the Wire, and the left hand end being connected to a. plate 51 fastened to the frame, this plate at the same time serving to su port the ends of the leaves as they approac the stripping mechanism. At one side of the field of teeth 45 is another longitudinally disposed leaf disengaging member or stripper bar 5l being a similar wire connected to the parts 50 and 51 and lying closely adjacent the field in a plane below the surface thereof, and extending outside the field similarly to the wire 49.

As before stated the teeth of the brush belt 4 are adapted to cooperate with those of the belt 5 for a portion of their endless paths. the belt 4 moving in the general direction of feed at stripping position cooperating to press the leaf into engagement with the teeth of the belt 5. In the present embodiment the belt 4 comprises a series of metallic links 52 alternating with links 53 which are lugs of brush holders 54. The brush holders comprise independent metallic receptacles arranged in re atively laterally disposed pairs. each receptacle having a lug or link 53. The links 52 and 53 are loosely articulated.1 being pivotally connected to form an endless belt or chain, and around each pivotal point is sleeved an anti-friction roller 55. The receptacles of each pair are disposed one extending longitudinally in advance of the other so that the areas of teeth or brushes 5G of one pair longitudinally overlap the proximate ends of that of the adjacent pair when in alignment, as when they are in stripping position. The chain is supported and driven through the instrumentality of sprocket wheels 54 and 55 rotatably mounted in bearings projecting from the front face of the extension 1l of the rear frame piece. Tension of the belt 4 may be regulated by a roll 56 on a pivotally adjustable arm 57 mounted on the frame ex tension ll. The lou-'e1' ply of the belt 4 is guided and firmly backed so as to cause the teeth thereof to cooperate with those of the b'lt 5 by means of a bracket 58 vertically adjnstably connected by means of bolts 59 to the frame part l1, the bracket having a channel on its under surface through which pass the links of the belt 4. The rollers 55 beu' upon a track (il in the channel referred to so as to lessen friction between the belt and the guideway.

ln the present embodiment the teeth of the belt 4 are relatively closely associated` as illust rated in Fig. 9 and are of fibrous ma-v terial. a suitable material for the purpose being tampico. By loosening the belts 59 tbe'braeket 58 may be adjusted toward and from the card-cloth belt so as to regulate the effective pressure between the belts 4 and 5 lll and provide for proper different relative dispositions thereof as may be desired. As the links of the belt 4 pass around the chain wheels 54 and 55 the brush holders of succeeding links will be spaced from each other longitudinally, but the overlapping arrangement of the brushes tends to maintain a continuous brush field notwithstanding this separation. It will be seen that within that part of the belt where the brushes of the belt 4 cooperate with the card-cloth belt, the field of bristles will be continuous transversely of the belt 4 so that there is practically no opportunity for a leaf blade to be drawn between adjacent brushes without coming in contact therewith.

The stripping belt 5 is supported by two pulleys 62 and 63 journaled in the frame parts 9 and 10, the pulley 63 having a toothed gear 64 connected thereto to rotate the same and drive the belt 5. The gear 64 is driven from a gear 65 on the counter shaft 24 through the instrumentality of an intermediate gear 66. Also rotating with the pulley 63 is a gear 67 which meshes with the gear 68 connected to the shaft of the sprocket wheel 54 and designed to rotate said sprocket wheel i and thereby drive the brush belt 4. The tension of the belt 5 may be adjusted by means of the belt tightener 69, indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 5. The numerals and 71 indicate rollers over which support passes a narrow leaf feed belt 7 2. the movement of the belt 72 being effected by rotation of the roller 70, as will hereinafter appear. The upper ply of the belt 72 rests upon the table 1 and assists in feeding the leaves to the stripping mechanism. An endless feed belt 78, separately movable relative to the endless belt 5, is mounted upon the Iroll 70 at the left side of the machine and on a roll 74 journaled in the frame arms at the right of the machine. The upper ply of this belt lies on the belt 5 close alongside and in front of the field of teeth thereof and it extends beyond each end of belt 5, thence beneath the stripping belt 5 and passes around an operating pulley 75 driven by the counter-shaft 24. The numeral 76 indicates a tension and guide roller which may be made of wood, and journaled on the frame. of the machine, the belt 73. passing over the tension roller- 76. At the left of the pulley7 75 the belt 73 passes over a belt tightener roll 77 mounted upon an arm 78 pivotally adjustable on a cross bar 79 supported between front and rear frame parts. The belt 73 lies on the upper ply of the belt 5 immediately in front of the card-cloth eld thereon, and receives and carries from stripping position the blades of the leaves, in usually curled up condition, after the stems have been withdrawn. In the present embodiment the material of the belt 5 is flexible, as rubberized canvas.

45, being relatively stiff metallic pins, tend to buckle the belt 5, under the force of the drawing operation. The belt 73,'tends to restrain this buckling.

As the leaves move from the feed table 1 toward the stripping teeth, they are pressed against the belt 73 and carried toward and supported in alignment with the cooperative planes of the belts 4 and 5 by means of a ply ot' a short endless belt 80 passing around pulleys 81 and 82. the pulley 81 being mounted on the end of a shaft 83. This shaft is driven through the instrumentality of intermeshing spur gears 84 and 85, the latter being driven by a sprocket chain 86 from a sprocket wheel 87 on a rearward extension of the shaft of the pulley 62. The pulley 82 is supported for adjustment toward and from the surface of the belt 7 8 by means of an 'arm 88 pivotally connected to the rear frame piece.

The numeral 89 indicates a roll over which an endless belt 90 extends. The belt 9() passes over a pulley 91 on a transverse shaft 92 to which the gear 68 is connected. Likewise the belt 90 passes around a tension roll 93 carried on an arm 94 of a horizontal rock shaft 95 journaled in the machine, and having a depending arm 96 to which is connected one end of a spring 97, the other end of this spring being connected to a pin 98 adj ustably connected to the frame. The spring 97 serves to press the lower ply of the belt 90 toward the belt 73 and the stripped blades of the leaves are carried between the belts 7 3 and 90 to the right (Fig. 3) Where they may be discharged.

Also lying upon the belt 5 is an upper ply ot' a wide endless belt 99 which passes around the roller 70 and around a roller 100 supported in the frame somewhat below the roll 89. The belt 99 also passes around a driving drum 101 driven by the counter-sha ft 24, and is trnsioned by passing over roller 76 at. one side of said drum. and over an adjustable belt tigbtener 102 at the left of the drum 101. The belt tightcner roll 102 is journaled between arms 103 rotatably adj ustably mounted on the shaft 79. Adjustment of the belt tigbtener 102 may be effected by means of a link 104 connected at one end to one of the arms` 10? and at the other end to the frame lof tlu` mar-bine` a turn-buckle 105 being emploved to effectatljustable movement of the `roll 102.

l't will be observed that as the counter-shaft 24 is rotated, the pulley 75 and the drum 101 are. also rotated so as todrive the belts 7?) and 99. Thus the pulley or roll When the leaf material is drawn, the teeth .belt the lower ply of which cooperates with the upper ply of the belt 99 at the right or discharge end of the machine to carry away any leaf material which may remain upon the belt 99. The belt 106 is supported on a roll 107 at the right of the machine and upon a pulley 108 connected to rotate with the shaft 92. The rock shaft 95 lies above the belt 99 and the lower ply of the belt 106 passes around a roller sleeve 109 on the shaft 95 andthus is kept in cooperative relation with the face of the belt 99.

The rollers 6 and 7 of the drawing mechanism include a single pair, mutually cooperative, adapted to grip the stems therebetween and draw them at an angle to the direction of movement of the stripping belt at stripping position. These rollers are conical and have yielding frictional stem gripping surfaces, and in the present embodiment the line of grip of the rollers lies in substantially the plane of the leaves as the latter lie on the card-cloth so .that the rollers cooperate with each other in substantially the plane of the upper ply of the cardcloth belt, one roller on one side of this plane. and the other on the other side. The axes of rotation of these drawing rollers are inclined from the line of advance of the leaves by the feed belts and are also inclined to the plane of thc leaves as they lie on the belts. The apices portions of the drawing rollers are adjacent the edge of the card-cloth belt and the axes diverge rearwardly from said edge. In usual operation the leaves lic on the belts with their stems in generally right angle relation to the rear edge of the belt 5 so that with the rollers arranged as described the drawing operation tends to move thc stems laterally of their length and thus wipe them against the pins.

The numerals 110 indicate the shafts of the drawing rollers, these .shafts being connected to the bevel gears 32 and 33 for driving, and being supported in bearings 81 and 35 at one end, and in step bearings 111 and 112 at the opposite cud. The step bearings 111 and 112 are provided in arms of a bracket piece 113 bolted to the front face of the rear frame piece, these arms extending forwardly to provide. the bearings re ferred to. and spaced apart vertically to provide for the passage therebetween of the butt ends of the stems of the leaves, the arms acting in part to guide the stems to position between the rollers. The shafts 110 adjacent the edge of the card-cloth belt are reduced in diameter to accommodate the decreased diameter of the roll-and permit the apices of the rolls being placed close to the edge of the card-cloth belt so that but a small portion of the butt ends of the stems need project beyond the edge of the cardcloth in order to be gripped by the apex portion of the drawing rollers. The construction of both drawing rollers 6 and 7 is the same and, as illustrated in section (Fig. 8), comprises a conical base 114 nicely but movably sleeved upon the shaft 110 so that it may be moved both longitudinally and rotatively on said shaft. The base 114 has a yielding friction surface to securely grip the stems and provide for the accommodation of stems of different thicknesses. Rubber is a suitable surfacing material for the purpose. The base of the element 114 is provided with a female clutch portion 115 fast thereon and engaged by a male clutch element 116, the latter comprising a clutch collar connected to the shaft 110 for rotation therewith by means of a pin 117 and having diametrically disposed teeth 118 to engage the similarly related recesses in the female clutch element.- Between the clutch element 116 and the bearing 31 is a thrust collar bearing 119 which may be sleeved on the shaft 110. Threaded in the base 114 are screws 120, the 'heads of" wlich are adapted to contact with the flange 121 of the clutch element 116. Because the rollers 6 and 7 are conical, rotation thereof in contact with each `other tends to thrust them longitudinally of their axes toward the bearings 31 and 35, and such movement is prevented by screws 120 cooperating with the flange 121. By turning the screws 120 in the proper direction, either of the rollers 6 and 7 may be moved longitudinally of the shaft 110 toward the step bearing so as to talte up the wear and vary the pressure of contact between the rollers.

For the purpose of assisting the introduction of the stems between the gripping surfaces of the rollers 6 and 7 the apiccs of one or more of the rollersmay be provided with worms 122 which operate to wipe the stems longitudinally into position between the gripping surfaces. The apices of both rolls are rounded so as not to obstruct the movement of the stems. To assis-l in guiding the stems into position between the rolls, one of these rounded surfaces may be covered with leather corrugated longitudinally of the roll to develop suiiicient friction therebetween and the stems to lend to urge the' stems further between the rolls` and into the grip of the worm on the adjacent roll.

The operation of the device will be understood from the foregoing, but a brief description thereof will be given. The belt shifter is operated so that power is communicated to the main driving shaft 17. The various belts including the card-cloth belt 5 and the presser belt 4, and the drawing rolls will be set in operation and will be continuously operated so long as the power is applied. The attendant standing before table 1 takes leaves from the inclined portion 2 of the table and lays them across the belts 72, 73 and 99 with their butts against the gauge board 3. In this position their butt ends are in a longitudinal line somewhat to the rear of the teeth of the belts 4 and 5. The leaves so disposed will travel to the right (Fig. 3) and eventually be received between the belt and the belt T3 which belts will cooperate to grip and hold t-he leaves in position during their conveyance into gripping relation with the teeth of the belts 4 and 5'. The belt 80 cooperates with a portion of the lea-f somewhat distant from the end of the stem, the intern'xediate portion of the leaves or stems being supported by the plate 51 as the leaves pass from the table 1 to the stripping belts. Eventually the butt portions of the leaves are received between the teeth of the belts 4 and 5 and the eXtreme butt ends pass between the arms 111 and 112 of the step bearings and into the ield of operation of the apices of the drawing rolls. The friction surface and worm at the apex of the drawing rolls assist in introducing the overhanging butts to the gripping surfaces of these rolls. All the belts travel continuously and at the same speed and when the butt end of a leaf is gripped between the drawing rolls, the leaf travels laterally due to the feed movement of the belts, and the stem is drawn rearwardly and at the same time forced laterally in the general direction of feed due to the conicall surfaces of the vdrawing rollers and their direction of rotation. The speed of the drawing operation gradually increases in rate on account of the increasing diameter of the drawing rollers so that the drawing is accomplished in a short period of time, and yet by gradually increasing the speed of drawing the full inertia of the leaf (as when at rest) does not resist the drawing at rapid speed. Thus the stems are not so apt to be broken. On account of the fact that a very short length of stem of the leaf may be initially gripped by the drawing rolls, only a small portion. if any, of the blade remains unstripped. By the provision of the conical rollers, the point of initial grip thereby may be placed close to the .stripping means, the smaller ends of the conical rollers admitting of this positioning. The stems are gripped by the yielding surfaces of the rolls so that both thick and thin stems are accommodated and`the rubber surface of the rolls provides for sutlicient friction for drawing and at the same time yielding to accommodate the thickness of stem. Inasmuch as the cones rotate in a plane, usually inclined lengthwise of the machine to the length of the stems as the latter lie on the card-cloth, the drawing operation tends to wipe the stems against the sides ofthe card-cloth pins, and this effect is augmented by the lateral translation' of the stems due to the teeth of the belts. In this Wise the blade isstripped close to the stems and the operation tends to produce clean stems and no waste of blade material. The movement of the leaf from the table t0 its point of discharge is a continuous one so that there is practically no tendency for the machine to choke. The wire 49 lying below the surface of the field of teeth of the card-cloth provides a rm surface or longitudinal tooth, as it were, against which the stem may be pressed by the teeth of the brush belt 4 and assists in the stripping operation by cooperating with the lower faces of the Stems. Furthermore, as this wire lies in the field of teeth of the card-cloth belt and extends beyond its supporting rolls, it serves to lift from the card-cloth any material, such as leaf, broken stems, etc. which may remain thereon. It serves to clear the card-cloth of such material and the brush 43 completes the clearing operation. As the stems are drawn the major portion of the blade usually curls up in front of the card-cloth and upon the belt 73 and is carried by the belt 73 to the point of discharge, this carrying being facilitated and rendered more positive by cooperation of the belt with the belt 73, the pressure between the belt 90 and the belt 73 being variable to permit accumulations of blades to pass therebetween, as will be understood from the description hereinbefore given. The belt 99 supports thel major portion of long leaves and participates in the general operation of feeding the leaves to the stripping belts and preventing buckling of the belt 5. Any leaf which has not been stripped and consequently remains upon the belt 99 will be retained between the belts 106 and 99 at the right of the machine and carried to a different point of discharge from the stemmed leaf, as will be understood.

In the embodiment illustrated the table 1 is spaced from the stripping mechanism and the belt 73 bridges this space, and is supported by a plate 123, on the .end of a bracket 124, fastened to the underside of the table 1 (Figs. 11, 12).

Thus by the foregoing are accomplished, among others, the objects herein referred to.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely dierent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. I

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a. machine of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the latter mechanism comprising a single pair ofmutually cpoperative stem gripping rollers adapted to draw at a progressively.increasing ratebf speed having yielding friction conical gripping surfaces. l

2. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the latter mechanism comprising a pair of mutually cooperative conical stem gripping rollers, the axes of which are inclined to the line ot' advance of the leaves.

3. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the latter mechanism comprising a pair or' mutually cooperative conical stem gripping rollers, the axes of which are inclined to the plane of the leaves to be stripped.

Il. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the latter mechanism comprising a pair of mutually cooperative conical stein gripping rollers, the axes of Which are inclined to the plane of the leaves to be stripped and to the line of advance of the leaves.

5. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the latter mechanism comprising a. pair of mutually cooperative conical stem Tripping rollers, the axes of which are inclined to the plane of the leaves to be stripped and to the line of advance pr" the leaves, the line of grip between said rollers being in substantially the plane of the leaves.

6. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism-and dra-wing mechanism, the former comprising an endless card-cloth belt adapted to advance the leaves laterally of their length, and the latter comprising a pair of mutually cooperative rollers having yielding friction conical stem-gripping surfaces, the axes of Which are inclined to the plane of the leaves to be stripped and to said line of advance, the line ot' grip of the rollers being in substantially the plane of the advancing leaves.

7. In a machine of the Character described, in combination. strip ing inecliaiiisni a nd drawing mechanism, t ie former comprising an endless card-cloth belt adapted to advance the leaves laterally of their length, and the latter comprising a pair of conical stem gripping rollers adapted to cooperate in substantially the plane oi said belt, one roller on one side of said plane and the other on the other, the apices of said rollers being adjacent the edge of said belt and the axes of said rollers diverging from said edge.

8. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the former comprising a card-cloth belt movable in an endless path adapted to receive and advance the leaves laterally ot their length, means adapted to firmly support said belt for a portion of its path, an endless keeper belt comprising linked brushes, the bristles of Which are adapted to cooperate with the teeth ol the card-clotli at said supported portion to press the leaf onto the card cloth, the brushes of succeeding links being adapted to longi tudinally overlap at the stripping position.

S). In a machine of the character described in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the i'ormer comprising a card-cloth belt movable in an endless path adapted to receive and advance the leaves laterally of their length, means adapted to tirnily support said belt for a portion of its path, an endless keeper belt comprising linked brushes, the bristles of Which are adapted to cooperate with the teeth of the :ard-cloth at said supported portion to press the leat1 onto the card-clotli, the brushes of succeeding links being adapted to longitudinally overlap at the stripping position, and a guide adapted to firmly back said brushes opposite said stripping position.

l0. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the former comprising a card-cloth belt movable in an endless path adapted to receive and advance the leaves laterally of their length, means adapted to firmly support said belt for a portion ot its path, an endless keeper belt comprising linked brushes, the bristles of which are adapted to cooperate With the teeth ot' the card-cloth at said supported portion to press the leaf onto the card-cloth, the brushes of succeeding links being adapted to longitudinally overlap at the stripping position, a guide adapted to firmly back said brushes opposite said stripping position. and means whereby said guide may be adjusted toward and from said support.

ll. In a machine of the character described, in combination` a field ot' stripping teeth movable in an endless path. means cooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth. and a Wire or the like lying longitudinally in said iicld below the outer ends of the teeth and extending outside the path of movement thereof, said pressing means comprising a movable belt of loosely articulated relatively longitudinally disposed sections having areas of teeth adapted to cooperate with the leaves, the. area of: one section longitudinally overlapping that of an adjacent section.

12. In a. machine of: the character described. in combination, a movable endless belt of card-cloth, the pins of which incline transversely of the direction oi movement, and means cooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth comprising a movable endless belt of loosely articulated relatively longitudinally disposed sections having areas of teeth adapted to cooperate with the leaves.

13. In a machine of the character described, in combination, an endless belt having a field of stripping teeth adjacent one edge, means cooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth. a second endless feed belt,l one ply of which lies on said first-mentioned belt in front of said field, a third endless feed belt. one ply of which lies on said first-mentioned belt between the inner edge of said second-mentioned belt and said field, and means adapted to continuously move said belts during the stemming operation.

14. In a machine of the character described. in combination, an endless belt hav-` ing a field of stripping teeth adjacent one edge, a wire or the like lying longitudinally in said field below the outer ends of said teeth and extending outside the path of movement of said teeth, means cooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth, a second endless feed belt lying alongside said field on said first-mentioned belt, and a third feed belt, one ply of which lies on said first-mentioned belt in front of said second-mentioned belt.

15. In a machine of the character described, in combination, an endless belt having a field of stripping teeth adjacent one edge, a wire or the like lying longitudinally in said field below the outer ends of said teeth and extending outside thc path of movement of said teeth, means cooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth, a second endless feed'belt lying alongside said field on said first-mentioned belt, a third feed belt, one ply of which lies on said first-mentioned belt in front of .said second-mentioned belt. a fourth endless belt cooperative with said second belt to press unstripped leaf material.thereagainst` and a fifth endless belt cooperative with said second belt to press stripped blade thereagainst. f ,1

16. In a 4machine of the character described. in combination. an endless belthaving a field of stripping teeth adjacent one edge. a wire or the like lying longitudinally in said field below the outer ends of said teeth and extending ouitside the path of movement of said teeth, means cooperative to press the leaf' into engagen'ient with said teeth. a second .endless feed belt lying alongside said field on said first-mentioned belt, a third feed belt. one ply of which lies on said first-mentioned belt in front of said second-mentioned belt. a fourth endless belt cooperative with said\ second belt to press unstripped leaf material thereagainst, a4 fifth endless belt cooperative with said second belt to press stripped blade thereagainst, and a sixth endless belt cooperative with said third belt to press leaf material thereagainst.

17. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the latter operative to draw at an increasing rate of speed and the former comprising cooperative endless belts between which the stems are drawn by the drawing mechanism, one of said belts comprising loosely articulated relatively longitudinally disposed sect-ions adapted to press the leaf against the other belt during the drawing operation.

18. In a` machine of the `character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and. drawing mechanism, the latter op,- erative to draw at an increasing rate of speed and the former comprising cooperative endless belts between which the stems are drawn by the drawing mechanism, one of said belts comprising a field lof stripping teeth and the other comprising loosely articulated relatively longitudinally disposed sections having areas of teeth cooperative to press the leaf toward said field during the drawing operation, the area. of one section longitudinally overlapping that of the next adjacent section when in pressing position.

19. In a machine of the character described, in combination. stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the latter comprising a pair of mutually cooperative conical stem gripping rollers and the former comprising cooperative endless belts between which the stems are drawn by the drawing mechanism, one of said belts comprising a field of stripping teeth and the other comprising loosely articulated relatively longitudinally disposed sections having areas of teeth cooperative to press the leaf toward said field during the drawing operation, the area of one section longitudinally` overlapping that of the next adjacent section when in pressing position.

20. In a machine of the character described, in con'ibination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanis-zm, the latter comprising a pair of mutually cooperative conical stem gripping rollers and the former comprising cooperative endless belts between which the stelns are drawn by the drawing mechanism, one of said belts comprising a field of stripping teeth and the other comprising loosely articulated relatively longitudinally disposed sections having areas of teeth cooperative to press the leaf toward said field during the drawing operation, the area of one section longitudinally overlapping that of the next adjacent section when in pressing position. the teeth of said field inclining toward said drawing mechanism.

21. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the latter comprising a pair of mutually cooperative conical stem gripping rollers and the tornier comprising cooperative endless belts between which the Steins are drawn by the drawing mechanism, one of said belts couiprising a lield ot' stripping teeth and the other comprising loosely articulated relatively longitudinally disposed sections having areas ot' teeth cooperative to press .the leaf toward said lield during the drawing operation, the arca ot one section longitudinally overlapping that ot' the next ad jacent section when in pressing position, and a stripper Wire lying longitudinally in said field below the outer ends ot' said teeth.

22. In a machine of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the latter comprising a pair ot mutually cooperative conical stem gripping rollers and the former comprising cooperative endless belts between which the stems are drawn by the drawing mechanism, one or' said belts comprising a iield of stripping teeth and the other comprising loosely articulated relatively longitudinally disposed sections having areas of teeth cooperative to press the lea'tl toward said lield during the drawing operation, the area ot one section longitudinally overlapping that of the next adjacent section when in pressing position, the teeth of said tield inclining toward said drawing mechanism, and a stripper wire lying longitudinally in said field below the outer ends ot' said teeth.

23. In a machine of the character de scribed, in combination, a movable field ot stripping teeth, means cooperative to press the leat' into engagement with said teeth, said last-mentioned means comprising a movable belt ot loosely articulated relatively longitudinally disposed sections having areas of teeth adapted to cooperate with the leaves, the area ot' one section longitudinally overlapping that of an adjacent section, and means lying in said iield opposite the leaves to be stripped adapted to disengage leaf material therefrom.

24. In a tobacco stemming machine, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the former including a belt having a iield ot' stripping teeth, movable in the direction of teed of the leaves at stripping position, and the latter including a pair or' cooperative conical drawing rollers adapted to seize the leaf stems and draw them through said lield at an angle to the `said direction ot' movement ot' said field, the line ot' grip oi said rollers inclining from the edge ot said belt in Substantially the plane oi' said belt, and the axes of said rollers being inclined to said plane.

2a. ln a tobacco stemming machine, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism, the former including a belt having a lield ot stripping teeth, movable in the direction of 'feed or' the leaves at stripping position, and the latter including a pair ot' cooperative drawing rollers adapted to seize the leaf stems and draw them through said field at an angle to the said direction ol movement of said field, a leaf 'leeding Lelt lying on said first mentioned belt closely alongside said lield of teeth, and a third beit cooperating with said last mentioned belt to grip the leaves, said two last mentioned Lelts being narrower than said l'irst mentioned belt, and a fourth belt lying on said iii-st mentioned belt alongside said lea'tI feeding belt, and extending in the direction otx reed and beyond stripping position.

26. In a leaf-stemming machine, in combination, stripping mechanism including a belt having a lield ot' teeth to move continuously in the direction of the feed ot the leaves, and stem-drawing mechanism comprising continuously revolving co-acting rolling members to seize the leaf stems and 'draw the stems through said field at an angle to the direction ot the ieed, said rolling members having a yielding surface to securely grip the stems and provide for the accommodation of stems of different thicknesses.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE R. CORN IVALL. 

